Dragon Fantasy

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, null given in /home/wp_bh2xmh/slidetoplay.com/wp-content/themes/litemag-child/inc/widgets/bl_gameheader_stp.php on line 66

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, null given in /home/wp_bh2xmh/slidetoplay.com/wp-content/themes/litemag-child/inc/widgets/bl_gameheader_stp.php on line 69Dragon Fantasy is a game from , originally released 31st December, 1969

There’s a pretty good chance that Dragon Fantasy has just about the most generic name of any RPG. But at least the title gives you a good idea of what to expect. Dragon Fantasy is unabashedly influenced by the 8 and 16-bit Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games, not only with its retro-style presentation, but its gameplay as well. It’s not perfect, and the controls definitely could use some work, but it’s an enjoyable, nostalgia-filled experience that’s brought to life with some clever and funny writing.

The cliche RPG hero is an angsty, spiky haired kid who doesn’t play well with others. But Dragon Fantasy’s hero is nothing like that. He doesn’t even have hair. So when the Dark Knight kidnaps the prince and infects the queen with a sickness, it’s not a knight in shining armor that comes to the rescue, it’s Ogden and his bushy red beard. The story itself is relatively generic, involving a quest to find some powerful armor necessary for battling the Dark Knight, but the witty, self referential writing makes it an enjoyable journey.

Dungeon explorer extraordinaire.

Along the way, Ogden will meet all manner of quirky characters, from a strange hermit to a woman with a fetish for ghosts. But the enemies are the most enjoyable part. Though many of the creatures are fairly standard RPG fare, like skeletons and bats, it’s the text descriptions that will make you laugh out loud. Each creature has its own unique attacks and way of dying, all of which is described through snappy lines of text. There are rock wives that cry into their chardonnay and ghost miners that walk towards the light. And thankfully there are quite a few different enemies to battle, so the jokes don’t really have the chance to grow old.

The tongue in cheek story and clever writing are what help to mask the fact that Dragon Fantasy is a bog standard RPG. If you ever played an RPG from the early to mid ’90s you’ll know exactly what to expect. The battles are turn-based and random, you’ll be able to contract status effects like poison and silence, your time is divided between venturing into dungeons and exploring small towns, you can buy weapons and level up to learn new magical spells. It’s all the kind of stuff fans of the genre are used to.

Round one. Fight!

It’s a decent, if not all together unique gameplay package, but there are definitely a few issues that will make things frustrating at times. The controls, which have you pulling in the direction you want Ogden to move, aren’t very accurate, making it difficult to go precisely where you want to on the first try. The AI also appears to have some problems. We experienced everything from townsfolk blocking our way out of buildings to enemies that did nothing but cast a sleeping spell continuously.

And then there are the battles. Far too often attacks will miss, which can make the battles longer than they need to be. Missing once or twice in a short battle is reasonable, but when you miss five or six times in a row it becomes an annoyance. And since the battles are always one-on-one they’re also devoid of much strategy. You will have a large number of spells at your command by the end, but most every battle boils down to the old ‘attack, attack, heal’ rhythm games like Dragon Quest are known for.

And that’s exactly who this game is meant for: those who are already fans of classic Japanese RPGs. Aspects like fixed save points and forced level grinding will likely frustrate new players, but they’re just par for the course for genre veterans. And if those players can get past the controls and a few gameplay quirks, they’ll find a solid and enjoyable experience packed with great writing, a sense of humor, and one of the best retro soundtracks in recent memory.

More stories on Dragon Fantasy

Support our sponsors

Advertisement

Our Awesome Email Newsletter

Enter your email to subscribe to our daily email on what's hot in mobile games. Or, take a look at the archive.

Email Address *

And it of course should go without saying, but we'll say it just to make it 100% clear -- we will never share your email address with anyone.

Connect with us

Latest Recommended Games

Industrial Toys has released it’s follow-up to the great Midnight Star. In Renegade, a much more casual game, the focus is on short bursts of play and the never-ending constant upgrading of weapons and gear. This game brings the great controls for a mobile FPS that the previous version had, but focuses less on the story and more on the frantic gameplay.

Heroes of Loot 2 is an update to the original that brings even more to love of the original. This time around the player chooses two player types to take into the dungeon, switching between them in the game as needed.

Heroes of Loot 2 is 50% off right now for launch.

After their job, of keeping the dungeons in balance, was done, our heroes needed a new job. Roaming the lands they found a call for heroes, a castle in need, possible even a damsel in distress?

Pick two heroes to take into the adventure, controlling both heroes and using their special skills to navigate the dangerous castle hallways, rooms and floors. Switching between the two characters to solve quests, puzzles, and of course clear the dungeons of all evil.

Human Resources Corporation, from some of the same fine folks that brought us World of Goo is a puzzle games that makes some of the basics of programming into a fun little exercise.

The premise is that the player is a new recruit in a corporation that need to tell other in game characters how to move and act by giving a set of program commands to complete tasks. It’s a great introduction to the logic used in programming and a fun little game with great personality. Which is expected considering the team that created this.

Temple Run 2 has done it again. Expanded into a whole new world with the Blazing Sands expansion. Available now in the game.

Touch Arcade notes:

It’s called “Blazing Sands,” and as you can see from the above trailer, you’ll be running through canyons along side raging rapids and Egyptian-y looking statues while marauding vines are smacking you in the face… Which really isn’t much of a surprise as vines in video games seem to be jerks almost 100% of the time. Of course there’s new stuff to unlock too between new outfits and Blazing Sands artifacts. If you collect ’em all, you’ll even get a swanky new hat.

From Martin Magni, the developer of the great Odd Bot Out, Mekorama hit the App Store this week. This charming puzzle game has the player guide a robot through a series of very unique 3D puzzles. The puzzles have shades of Monument Valley without the Escher inspired vibe.

One of the features that really sets this game apart from others is the integrated level editor. This lets players create their own levels and share them via a simple QR code integrated image. Take a look at the new levels shared on Twitter with the #Mekorama hashtag. I’ve even created one to test the path finding skills of that little robot.

Mekorama is free in the App Store with a pay what you want price model.

There have been a lot of games that have aped the style of Monument Valley, but not that have really gotten the idea and complexity of the game. That is until Evo Explores. Evo Explores really understand the game and does a great job of adding puzzle types to the original that it unashamedly takes inspiration from. It’s so good that members of the Monument Valley team have remarked how impressed they are.

But beside that, the game can stand on its own as well. It’s a great suspension of belief type puzzler with new and interesting mechanics and is just plain fun. The story that goes along is a little weak, but then again that’s just a small part of the game. Well worth a download.

Support our sponsors

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone, and Apple TV are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Other terms may be trademarks of their respective companies.